Ductless Air Conditioning System

Contents

Also known as a mini-split system, the ductless air conditioning system consists of two main parts: an indoor unit mounted on the wall of your home to provide cool air, and a unit mounted on the exterior of your home. A pair of refrigerant lines connects the two units, one channeling electricity and the other draining condensate.

If your home already includes insulated ductwork, a standard air-conditioning system can be added on to that. But if it does not, the ductless air conditioning system is a solid alternative. It allows you to skip the costs of installing ducts and lets you control the temperature in different areas of your home with a thermostat.

It’s also much quieter than a window air-conditioning unit, and typically costs less to maintain since you can climate-control specific rooms when needed. If you think a ductless air conditioning system sounds right for you, here’s some more information to get you started.

Costs

On average, a ductless air conditioning unit cost between $1,500 and $2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu/h) of cooling capacity. This is more expensive than most central air-conditioning systems and window unit air-conditioning systems. For more cost information, get in touch with a licensed HVAC contractor near you.

Pros

Ductless air conditioning units come with a low-maintenance cost.

Ductless air conditioning units are not as noisy as other systems.

They have the ability to condition a space up to 4,000 square feet.

Cons

If installed in a poor location, the air can bounce off a wall or other obstacle.

Many people don’t like the appearance of a ductless air-conditioning system.

Durability

If properly installed and maintained, a ductless air conditioning system can last over 20 years. This requires, of course, that you properly clean and maintain your system to keep it in optimal running condition.

Maintenance

In order to keep a ductless air-conditioning system up and running, it’s essential that the indoor unit filters are cleaned regularly. Some units have black charcoal filters which need to be removed, dusted, and laid in the sun for eight hours every six months.

Other units have Catachin filters, which have to be cleaned and replaced every two years. Clean the outdoor units with a soft brush to get rid of leaves, dirt and other debris, and always call a professional at the first sign of a potential issue.

Common Questions and Answers

Why are ductless air conditioning units considered more energy efficient than central air conditioning systems?

Ductless air conditioning units use zone cooling, meaning areas of the home can be set to a different temperature and controlled by one thermostat. If you’d rather not buy a complete system, this also allows you to buy the system one zone at a time.

Where can ductless air conditioning units be installed?

Ductless air conditioning units can be suspended from the ceiling, hung on a wall, or placed on the floor. However, they are most commonly mounted to the interior and exterior walls of a home.